File cabinet marker



Sept. 22, 1964 J. E. BARROW FILE CABINET MARKER 4 Sheets-$heet 1 Filed May 22, 1962 INVENTOR flswz w ATTORNEY J. E. BA RROW FILE CABINET MARKER Sept. 22, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet. 2

ATTORNEY v lllll I 4 I u Filed May 22, 1962 Sept. 22, 1964 J. E. BARROW FILE CABINET MARKER 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 22, 1962 INVENT OR A RNEYS mob Sept. 22, 1964 J. E. BARROW FILE CABINET MARKER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 22, 1962 INVENTOR United States Patent 3,149,892 FILE (.ABINET MARKER James E. Barrow, Jehco, Inc., PA). Box 428, Jonesboro, Ga. Filed May 22, 1962, Ser. No. 197,816 9 Claims. (Cl. 312-2345) The invention relates to file cabinets, and more particularly to arrangements for indicating when certain files have been removed therefrom and the location from which these files were removed, and the persons by whom they have been removed.

In the use of file cabinets, where files are kept in particular order in the drawer, it is helpful to know whether all the files normally present in the drawer are there, and, if not, how many have been removed and the relative locations of the files so removed, as well as the identity of the person who has the file. It is, of course, possible to insert some sort of marker between adjacent files to indicate this fact, but this requires loose pieces of paper, cardboard or the like and is inconvenient and time consuming.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a simple and relatively inexpensive arrangement which is combined with the file drawer in its construction, and which allows the filing clerk to indicate the absence of files from the drawer, and the position which those files should occupy in the drawer.

Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide such an arrangement in which the indicating devices are out of the way when they are not in use, and cannot in any way interfere with the sliding of the drawer into and out of the cabinet or with the filing of other files in the cabinet.

It is a further object of the invention to provide outmarkers for file drawers of this nature capable of holding a card for identifying the person who has removed the file, along with storage means associated with the drawer for holding in a convenient location cards bearing the names of those most likely to remove files from the drawer, such cards being of a size to be held by the markers.

In general, my invention consists in a guide running along at least one side wall of the drawer, this wall being spaced inwardly slightly from the side wall of the cabinet, with a plurality of members slidable along this guide, and with indicators carried by such members and movable between one position in which they lie flat against the side wall of the cabinet in a lowered location and another position in which they extend inwardly across the file cabinet, where they can be positioned between two files to indicate that the file has been removed and where its proper position is.

According to a further feature of the invention, I provide on the inside of front Wall of the file drawer pockets for holding means which can be fitted into holding means on the out-markers to indicate the person who removed the file from the drawer.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following descri tion, particularly when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows in perspective a file cabinet drawer embodying the subject matter of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlargement of a part of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the sliding block and indicator with the holder therefor;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the block;

FIG. 5 shows in perspective a modified form of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a view of the drawer of FIG. 5 completely outside the cabinet;

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FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the slidable block and indicator with the mounting therefor;

FIG. 8 is a perspective View of the inside of the front wall of a file drawer embodying the invention;

FIG. 9 shows a part of such wall in elevation;

FIG. 10 is a Vertical cross-section through a part of the wall;

FIG. 11 shows in detail one of the out-markers; and

FIG. 12 is a cross-section on the line 12-12 of FIG. 11.

In a form of FIGS. 1 to 4, the file drawer 2 has a front 4 and a side wall 6 which is spaced inwardly somewhat from the side wall of the cabinet in which the drawer is mounted, so as to provide a space for the mechanism to be described.

This mechanism includes a channel galide 8 mounted on the side wall 6, in which is slidable a block 10, having grooves 12 engaging the flanges 14 on either side of slot 16 in the channel 3. Fixed on the outside of the block 10 is a smaller block 18 having a vertical hole 20 therethrough. At the front and back of the hole 20 are grooves 22 which extend completely through the block, while on each side are grooves 24 which extend from the top only partly through the block.

The indicator is carried by a rod 26, which is slidable vertically in the hole 20, and has transverse pins 28 therethrough. On the upper ends of the rod 26 is the indicator 3%, which may be suitably legended to indicate that a file is out.

When these are not in use, they are positioned as shown at the right hand side of FIG. 1, that is, the indicator 3% lies fiat against the side 6 of the file drawer. Under these conditions, the upper pin 28 is engaged in the slots 22, since it cannot pass all the way downwardly through block 18 because the lower edge of the indicator 30 is in engagement with the block. This thus holds the indicator flat and parallel to the wall, where it is completely out of the way and cannot interfere with the operation of the drawer.

When the device is to be used, it is lifted up manually, and the lower pin 28 moves up through slots 22 to a position above the block 18. The indicator can then be turned at right angles, to the position shown at the left hand side of FIG. 1, where it extends over the upper edge of the wall 6 and transversely inwardly partly across the drawer. The lower pin 28 is then lowered into the notches 24, and holds the indicator 30 in the desired position.

Of course, before this is done, the block 16 is slid along the guide or channel 8 to a point opposite the position at which the marker is to be located.

The marker preferably is so dimensioned and of such height that it will extend partly above any files which are placed in the drawer, and will also lie between the files with its lower part, so as to mark clearly the position at which the removed file is to be replaced.

It is possible to use a number of such devices in a single drawer, as shown in FIG. 1, and they could of course be located along both sides.

In the modification of FIGS. 5-7, there is along the side wall 6 of the drawer 2, which is mounted as shown in FIG. 5 in a cabinet 32, a round bar 34 on which is slidable, with a sufiiciently tight fit to hold it in any position to which it may be adjusted, a sleeve 36.

This sleeve can also be turned around the bar 34. The sleeve 36 carries a bar or rod 38, on the upper end of which is pivoted an indicator 46. This is held in position by fasteners 42 on the rod. A coil spring 44 surrounds the rod and has one end secured to the rod and the other secured to the indicator 40. This spring tends to turn the indicator clockwise (when looking downward in FIG. 7), and such movement is limited to a position at right angles to the bar 34, that is in a position in which, as shown at the left hand side of FIG. 6, the indicators extend inwardly across the tile drawer, by a stop 46 secured to the rod 38 and engaged behind the indicator 4' 3.

Normally, when these indicators are not in use, they are in the position shown at the right hand side of FIG. 6. In such a position, the spring 44 acts to press the indicators 46 against the side wall 6 of the drawer, so as to hold them in a position where they will not interfere with the operation of the drawer.

When a file is to be marked out, the rod 38 is swung upwardly around the bar 34, and the indicator 4t then swings to its position extending inwardly across the drawer, to show the absence of the file and its proper location.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 to 10, the front wall 4 of the drawer is formed of an outer plate having its upper edge bent inward and downward, as at (FIG. 10) and winner plate 52 having its upper edge inside and welded to the downwardly bent edge of the upper plate to form a double wall. The plate 52 has a plurality of inwardly bent portions 54 near its upper edge and, just below portions 54, outwardly bent portions 56, leaving a gap or opening 53 between them. Back of the gap 58, a closure member is provided having a lower flange 6d welded to wall 52 just below parts 56, a horizontal part 62 forming the bottom of the pockets, a vertical part d4 forming the back of the pockets, and an upper part 66 welded to the back of parts 54.

It will be apparent that cards fitted into the pockets lengthwise will be retained in them, but will be readily removable.

Referring. now to FIGS. 11 and 12, the plate-like outmarkers or indicators 36 may be formed of plastic with clips or offset portions 68 on one face and '76) on the other face, the gap between these offsets and the face of the marker being such as to allow a card to be slipped under the clips on one face and to be held by them firmly enough to prevent accidental displacement. The marker 30 also has an upper tab 72.

The size of the card is indicated by the broken line rectangle 74 (FIG. 12). The pockets in the inside of the front wall are made of such a size as to receive and retain cards which, when held by the marking means, will substantially cover that part of the face of the main body of the marker above the holding means (the tab not being considered as part ofthe main body). Preferably, the pockets are only slightly larger than the cards.

The markers 40 can be similarly constructed.

In use, when a file is removed, the person removing it selects the proper card from one of the pockets and places it in the raised out-marker, so that anyone looking for the file will know who has it.

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 127,727, filed July 28, 1961, and now abandoned.

While I have described herein some embodiments of my invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not intend to limit myself thereby except Within the scope of the claims hereto or hereinafter appended.

I claim:-

1. In a file cabinet having a drawer-receiving space (i. therein, a file drawer, and means mounting the drawer for sliding movement into and out of the space, the drawer having at least one side wall which is lower than the height of the space and is spaced inwardly from the cabinet wall to provide a space therebetween, a guide means mounted on the outsideof the side wall, a member carried by said guide means for movement therealong longitudinally of the wall, a substantially planar indicator, and means mounting the indicator on the member for movement of the indicator between an unused position flat against the outside of the wall and with its plane parallel to the plane of the wall and an indicating positionin which it extends transversely of the drawer above the side wall with its plane transverse to the plane of the wall, said mounting means including a rod, the indicator being carried by the rod at one end thereof and lying in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rod, and said mounting means further including means mounting the rod on the member for holding the longitudinal axis of the rod perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the guide means.

2. In a file cabinet as claimed in claim 1, said mounting means including means mounting the rod for turning about its longitudinal axis.

3. In a file'cabinet as claimed in claim 1, said member having a vertical hole therethrough and said rod being turnable and slidable in said hole.

4. In a device as claimed in claim 1, said member comprising a block having a vertical hole therethrough, said indicator mounting means'comprising .a rod on which the indicator is mountedvertically slidable and turnable in the hole, the rod and blockhaving cooperating means thereon for holding the indicator in indicating position.

5. In a device as claimed in claim 1, said guide means comprising a bar, said member being slidable along arid turnable around the bar, said mounting means comprising a rod fixed in said member means mounting the indicator turnably on the rod, and spring means carried by the rod and engaging the indicator for turning it to indicating position. i

6. In a file cabinet as claimed in claim 1, said indicator including a plate-like member having means on at least one face thereof to receive and hold a card.

7. In a file cabinet as claimed in claim 6, said drawer having a front wall and having card-receiving pockets on the inside of the front wall.

8. In a file cabinet as claimed in claim 7, said indicator having a main body, said pockets being of a size to receive and hold a card which substantially covers the part of the main body of the indicator above the holding means.

9. In a file cabinet as ciaimed in claim 1, said drawer having a front wall and having card-receiving pockets on the inside of the front wall.

References titted in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,266,458 Hagans May 14, 1918 1,596,225 Andersson Aug. 17, 1926 2,336,572 Schuessler Dec. 14, 1943 2,446,391 Reeves Aug. 3, 1948 

1. IN A FILE CABINET HAVING A DRAWER-RECEIVING SPACE THEREIN, A FILE DRAWER, AND MEANS MOUNTING THE DRAWER FOR SLIDING MOVEMENT INTO AND OUT OF THE SPACE, THE DRAWER HAVING AT LEAST ONE SIDE WALL WHICH IS LOWER THAN THE HEIGHT OF THE SPACE AND IS SPACED INWARDLY FROM THE CABINET WALL TO PROVIDE A SPACE THEREBETWEEN, A GUIDE MEANS MOUNTED ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE SIDE WALL, A MEMBER CARRIED BY SAID GUIDE MEANS FOR MOVEMENT THEREALONG LONGITUDINALLY OF THE WALL, A SUBSTANTIALLY PLANAR INDICATOR, AND MEANS MOUNTING THE INDICATOR ON THE MEMBER FOR MOVEMENT OF THE INDICATOR BETWEEN AN UNUSED POSITION FLAT AGAINST THE OUTSIDE OF THE WALL AND WITH ITS PLANE PARALLEL TO THE PLANE OF THE WALL AND AN INDICATING POSITION IN WHICH IT EXTENDS TRANSVERSELY OF THE DRAWER ABOVE THE SIDE WALL WITH ITS PLANE TRANSVERSE TO THE PLANE OF THE WALL, SAID MOUNTING MEANS INCLUDING A ROD, THE INDICATOR BEING CARRIED BY THE ROD AT ONE END THEREOF AND LYING IN A PLANE PARALLEL TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF THE ROD, AND SAID MOUNTING MEANS FURTHER INCLUDING MEANS MOUNTING THE ROD ON THE MEMBER FOR HOLDING THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF THE ROD PERPENDICULAR TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF THE GUIDE MEANS. 